he Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, has on Monday led the official commencement of the ECOWAS Stakeholder Sensitisation Campaign on ECOWAS Interventions in Sierra Leone in the district headquarter town of Kambia, underscoring the regional bloc’s transition toward people-centred development.
The campaign, organised by the ECOWAS National Office, is being implemented in district headquarter towns as part of activities marking ECOWAS’ 50th Anniversary and is aimed at deepening public awareness of the organisation’s vision, achievements, and ongoing interventions across member states.
Minister Barlay led the sensitisation alongside the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone, H.E. Ambassador John Azumah, with active participation from the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre (NEWRMC) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Addressing stakeholders drawn from ministries, departments and agencies, local authorities, the security sector, civil society, youth and women’s groups, and the media, Minister Barlay emphasised the growing visibility and relevance of ECOWAS in Sierra Leone. She noted that the organisation has evolved from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of People,” with a stronger focus on direct community engagement, peace, and inclusive development.
She explained that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development hosts the ECOWAS National Office in Sierra Leone, making collaboration between government and ECOWAS essential to ensuring the organisation’s visibility and effective delivery of its mandate. The Minister highlighted ECOWAS Vision 2050, which prioritises peace, security, good governance, regional integration, and sustainable development, noting its strong alignment with Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Government’s Big Five Game Changers.
Minister Barlay further outlined President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s leadership as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, highlighting his four key priorities: restoring constitutional order and deepening democracy, revitalising regional security cooperation, advancing economic integration, and strengthening ECOWAS institutions. She cited Sierra Leone’s hosting of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot at Lungi and preparations to host the ECOWAS Heads of State Summit as evidence of the country’s growing leadership role within the regional bloc.
Welcoming participants to Kambia, Assistant District Officer Momoh Fofanah expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the ECOWAS delegation for selecting the district to host the engagement. He reaffirmed the district’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with ECOWAS and national institutions in sustaining peace and promoting development.
In his remarks, Ambassador John Azumah provided an overview of ECOWAS’ history, governance structure, and expanded mandate since its establishment in 1975. He highlighted the organisation’s evolution into a people-centred community with a focus on peace, prosperity, and inclusion, aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Ambassador also outlined ECOWAS’ interventions in peacebuilding, election observation, regional trade, free movement of persons, infrastructure, energy, humanitarian response, and early warning systems.
Speaking on trade integration, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Jim B. Kosseh, highlighted Sierra Leone’s commitment to ECOWAS trade protocols, particularly the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS). He explained that the ETLS facilitates the free movement of goods by eliminating customs duties and non-tariff barriers among member states, covering agricultural and livestock products, fishery products, artisanal handicrafts, and industrial goods.
The event also featured technical presentations from Dr. Robert Moikowa and Mr. Komba Momoh, Deputy Development Secretary and Head of the ECOWAS National Office. Dr. Moikowa traced ECOWAS’ role in regional peace, governance, and economic recovery, including its contribution to ending Sierra Leone’s civil war. Mr. Momoh highlighted key ECOWAS interventions in Sierra Leone, including the construction of the ECOWAS Logistics Depot at Lungi, plans for the Joint Border Post at Jendema, and ongoing support for human capital development through the ECOWAS Volunteer Programme.
Lt. Col. Musa Fuad Kanneh of the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN-SL) explained that Sierra Leone’s ECOWARN office is fully integrated into the regional early warning system, monitoring threats such as crime, insecurity, and environmental hazards. He noted that the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre works closely with ECOWAS and partners to prevent and mitigate risks to human security.
During the interactive session, participants raised concerns around inclusive development for persons with disabilities, youth unemployment and drug abuse—particularly the growing use of kush—and the need for stronger grassroots engagement in ECOWAS programmes. Speaking on behalf of the youth, Mariatu Tarawally, Youth Leader in Kambia, called for ECOWAS’ support in promoting fair elections, stable trade and exchange systems, and expanded rehabilitation programmes for affected young people.
In closing, Mr. Komba Momoh assured participants of the ECOWAS National Office’s continued openness to dialogue and partnership with local stakeholders, reaffirming ECOWAS’ commitment to inclusive development, peace, and regional integration in Sierra Leone.
Following the Kambia engagement, the sensitisation campaign is expected to continue in Koinadugu, Tonkolili, and Kono districts.
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